That wrests or twists; in quot. 1529 figurative.

That writhes; twisting or turning to and fro.

That retorts (in various senses of retort, v.1); (also) of the nature of or constituting a retort.

That writhes or twists.

That wrenches or twists; of the nature of a wrench. Also figurative.

Struggling; writhing. Obsolete. rare.

Seeming to have a circular motion; coiling, swirling.

= contortive, adj.